Enlist E3 Soybean System in 2020: What We Think Applicators Should Know

Mar 31, 2020
5 min read

Disclaimer:Information presented herein does not represent an endorsement of Enlist E3 soybean technology nor any seed trait or herbicide product. The purpose of this publication is solely to educate potential applicators and promote effective use of the Enlist E3 soybean technology from Corteva Agriscience.

Winter has come and gone and Spring is officially here. This means that farmers around Wisconsin and across the Midwest are getting prepared to hit the ground running when the time comes.

At this point, we understand that most seed and chemical orders have been placed and the decision on whether or not to adopt the novel soybean herbicide trait technologies (RR2YX, LLGT27, and Enlist E3) has been made. A recent survey conducted by the UW-Madison Cropping Systems Weed Science Lab provided interesting insight of how Wisconsin farmers intend to adopt these technologies.

Survey results included 58 participants representing approximately 330,000 soybean acres across 46 WI counties. According to participants, 14% of the represented acres in the survey will be planted with Enlist E3 soybeans in 2020 compared to 1% in 2019. Of those acres, 81% and 63% are expected to receive a 2,4-D choline and glufosinate application POST-emergence, respectively.

With the anticipated increased adoption of Enlist E3 soybeans and 2,4-D choline POST-emergence (particularly targeting waterhemp control), this is an essential time to review some of the important information regarding 2,4-D choline applications in Enlist E3 soybeans.

First and foremost, Enlist One (2,4-D choline) and Enlist Duo (2,4-D choline and glyphosate premix) are the only 2,4-D products labeled for use in Enlist E3 soybeans. Other 2,4-D products are NOT labeled thus should NOT be used in Enlist E3 soybeans.

*When mixing with Enlist One, do not pour glufosinate products or potassium salt of glyphosate into the tank at the same time as Enlist One. Add products one at a time, allowing enough time for recirculation between additions of each separate product.

Approved Enlist E3 Tank Mixes*:

*Applicators should check websites frequently throughout the growing season to ensure they have the most up to date information regarding approved tank mixes.

It is important to note that a glyphosate, 2,4-D choline and glufosinate tank mix is only permitted with the Enlist One formulation. Glufosinate products are not approved for tank mix with Enlist Duo.

It is also important to note that Roundup PowerMAX which is labeled for use in “Roundup Ready Crops” now has a supplemental label for use in Glyphosate-Tolerant Crops such as Enlist E3 soybeans and LLGT27 soybeans in Wisconsin. You can find the labels on the CDMS label database.

Additional Considerations:

Our low tunnel volatility and large-scale drift trials conducted at UW Arlington Ag Research Station and Sun Prairie, WI have indicated minimal to no injury from 2,4-D choline into non-Enlist soybeans. Check our video from the 2019 large-scale 2,4-D field trial:

Glufosinate can also be sprayed POST-emergence in Enlist E3 soybeans, which gives farmers an additional chemical option for broadleaf weed control. Check our video “getting the most out of glufosinate“:

Finally, it is important to use an integrated weed management approach with multiple strategies (e.g., mix and rotate effective herbicide sites of action, crop rotation, promote good agronomics to hasten canopy closure, incorporate cover crops, use of tillage when appropriate, etc.) to postpone evolution of weed resistance to 2,4-D and glufosinate.

Acknowledgments: Many thanks to our Industry and University colleagues who provided valuable feedback towards this blog article.